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WASHINGTON CITY: 

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1830. 






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REPORT 



OF THE 



PROCEEDINGS AT THE FORMATION 



OF THE 



AFRICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY: 



Instituted at Washington, December 28, 1829, 



WITH AN 



ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC 



BY THE BOARD OF MANAGERS. 



WASHINGTON CITY: 

printed by rothwell & ustich — Spectator 8? Chronich Office. 

1830. 



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REPORT. 



At a meeting of citizens of the District, and members of Congress, 
invited to confer together on the subject of establishing a Society for 
the Education of Persons of Color, for influence and usefulness in 
Africa, on the 28th of December, 1829; the object of the meeting 
having been stated by the Rev. Mr. Gurley ; on motion, of Rev. 
Dr. Laurie, Gen. Walter Jo:n t es was called to the Chair, and Mr. 
Gurley appointed Secretary. 

After the exchange of opinions in regard to the subject proposed 
for consideration, on motion by Mr. Gurley, it was 

Resolved, That it is expedient to form, and that we do hereby 
form, a Society, to prepare, by a suitable education, young persona 
of color for usefulness in Africa. 

The Society then went into committee of the whole, Rev. Mr. 
Hawley in the chair, to consider and decide on a Constitution ; and, 
after considerable discussion, and many amendments, the following 
was proposed to the Society, and finally adopted: 

CONSTITUTION. 

I. This Society shall be called the African Education Society of 
the United States. 

II. The exclusive object of this Society shall be, to afford to per- 
sons of color destined to Africa, such an education, in Letters, Ag- 
riculture, and the Mechanic Arts, as may best qualify them for use- 
fulness and influence in Africa. 

III. Every individual who shall annually contribute one dollar to 
the Society, shall be a member; and a contribution, at any one time, 
of twenty dollars shall constitute life membership. 

IV. The officers of this Society shall be, a President, one or more 
Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Recorder, and a Board 
of Managers, composed of the abovementioned officers and twelve 
other members of the Society, to be elected at the annual meeting : 
any five of whom shall constitute a quorum. 

V. The Annual Meeting of this Society shall be on the last Mon- 
day in December. 



VI. The Board of Managers shall conduct the business of the 
Society, and take such measures as they may think proper, or as shall 
be directed by the Society, to effect its objects ; shall convene at such 
times as they may deem expedient, or when requested by the Presi- 
dent or any three members ; shall report annually to the Society ; and 
shall have power to fill up, from time to time, all vacancies that may 
happen in their own body, or in any of the offices of the Society. 

VII. The Vice Presidents, according to seniority, or otherwise one 
of the Managers, shall perform the duties of the President iu case of 
his absence. 

VIII. The Secretary shall take minutes of the proceedings, pre- 
pare and publish notices, and perform such other duties as the Board 
or Society shall direct. The Recorder shall aid the Secretary when 
occasion requires. 

IX. The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of the funds of 
the Society, keep the accounts, and discharge such other similar duties 
as may be required by the Board of Managers. 

X. Every Society that shall be formed auxiliary to the parent in- 
stitution, shall be entitled to attend and vote by delegation at all 
meetings of the Society. 

XI. This Constitution shall be unalterable, except at the annual 
meetings of the Society, and by a majority of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers present. 

On motion, it was 

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to nominate a list of 
Officers for this Society. The following list was finally adopted : 

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 
President. 
Rt. Rev. William Meade, of Virginia. 

Vice Presidents. 
Gen. Walter Jones, of Washington, 
Hon; Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, 
Francis S. Key, Esq, of Georgetown, D. C. 
Hon. Judge McLean, of Ohio, 
Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D. D., of New York, 
Gerrit Smith, Esq. of New York, 
Gen. C. F. Mercer, of Virginia, 
Rev. John II. Rice, D. D., of Virginia, 
Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold, of R. I. 
William Maxwell, Esq. of Virginia, 
Rev, Nathan Lord, D. D. of N. H. 
William II. Fitziiugh, Esq. of Virginia, 
Rev. James Milnor, J). D. ol New York, 



Rev. Dr. Lindsley, of Teuuessee, 
Eliott Cresson, Esq. of Philadelphia, 
Rev. William Winans, of JMissi. 
Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., of Mass. 
Arthur Tappan, Esq. of New York. 

Secretary — Isaac Orr, of Washington. 

Treasurer — Richard Smith, Esq. of Washington. 

Recorder — John Kennedy, Esq. of Washington. 

Managers. 
Rev. William Hawley, of Washington, 
W t illiam Williamson, Esq. pf Georgetown, D. C. 
Rev. John N. Campbell, of Washington, 
Rev. James McVean, of Georgetown, D. C. 
B. L. Lear, Esq. of Washington, 
Rev. Walter Colton, of Washington, 
Rev. R. R. Gurley, of Washington, 
Michael Nourse, Esq. of Washington, 
William G. Ridgley, Esq. of Georgetown, D. C. 
John Coyle, Jr. Esq. of Washington, 
Rev. J. N. Danforth, of Washington, 
Rev. Thomas Brooke, of Georgetown, D. C. 



r, 



ADDRESS. 

At a time when objects of benevolence, so many and so great, 
press upon public attention, and call loudly for public patronage; and 
when the eye of jealousy is to a considerable extent threatening hos- 
tility to general associations for the accomplishment of some of these 
great and godlike purposes; it would ill become the Members and 
Managers of the African Education Society, to commence their ardu- 
ous enterprise, and to solicit the public favor and public support, 
without being able to offer an unequivocal and ample apology. 

We feel great reluctance to give offence or alarm, by associating 
together, to any of the sincere friends of our common country. But 
really, if the object we have in view is one, as we believe, and as we 
trust it will appear, which it would be hard-hearted to neglect, and 
cruel to hinder, we cannot conceive how it is possible that it should 
be attained by insulated individual effort. All history does not fur- 
nish the shadow of a warrant for the slightest hope of such an 
achievement. 

Since the commencement of the enterprise, in 1817, which was to 
open an outlet for the unfortunate population, who had been torn from 
their homes by the hand of violence, and forced upon us by the cu- 
pidity and tyranny of the mother country ; and which was not only 
to restore to Africa her lost children, but to quench the flames of war, 
and dry up the streams of devastation, and fountains of blood, in 
that persecuted and ill-fated country; and to confer upon it the bles- 
sings of peace, and refinement, and religion, and liberty, the friends of 
that great design have been continually and deeply impressed with 
the importance of preparing the destined emigrants, by a suitable 
training, for prosperity and usefulness in Africa. They reasoned, aud 
reasoned rightly, that if without such preparation they were wholly 
unfit, as is universally admitted, for freedom, and for the lowest em- 
ployments, in this country, much more were they unfit to stem the 
tide of barbarism, to exercise the difficult and hardly tenable func- 
tions of self-government, to become the leaders, teachers, aud rulers 
of barbarous people, the enlightened citizens, the wise founders and 
supporters, of the rising nations of Africa. Hence various attempts 
have been made, from time to time, to devise and execute plans for the 
attainment of this highly important and desirable object : aud the as- 
sociation, who by their constitution were not empowered to turn their 
efforts in that direction, and to whom the entire interests of Africa, 
here, have hitherto been entrusted, have hailed those attempts with 
their warmest approbation, and their best wishes that they might 



prove successful. It is •well known, that the great and active and 
powerful mind of General Harper, was much exercised on tliib sub- 
ject during his life, and that he made some partial attempts to carry 
his views into execution. There is reason to believe, from the reso- 
lution and energy of his character, that death aloue prevented him 
from pursuing, to ultimate success, an object to which he was so 
warmly and sincerely devoted. 

An Institution was commenced some years ago, for the purpose of 
African education, at Newark, in New Jersey. Owing, however, to 
the want of sufficient support, or perhaps still more to the lack of 
suitable subjects of education, its success has not heretofore been so 
great as its friends had reason to expect and desire, and as the exi- 
gencies of the cause most imperiously demanded. A Society has 
also been formed at Hartford, in Connecticut, devoted exclusively to 
the higher stages of African education. Its operations, up to the 
present time, have been exceedingly limited ; not for the want of in- 
terest, or the want of funds ; but for the almost total destitution of 
suitable subjects. Colored persons on the advanced stage of educa- 
tion, which they require for admission, can rarely be found. 

With these institutions it is not our design or desire to interfere at 
all : but to co-operate with them, and to render them every assist- 
ance within our power. The Hartford Institution, especially, we 
hope ere long to supply with youth prepared to enter it; and thus to 
remove the only apparent obstacle to its complete prosperity : and 
should that at Newark assume the same character, we hope to afford 
it also the same facilities. 

It is our belief that efforts have heretofore been too partial and lo- 
cal in their character ; and to this circumstance alone can we attribute 
the want of success. A common interest has not been felt: general 
concert in action has not been attained : the one soul of the benevo- 
lent community has not been awakened. It is our hope and desire 
to excite all the interest and energies of the country, which can pos- 
sibly be directed towards the attainment of the great and interesting 
object which we have in view : to gather information and influence 
from every possible source : to combine and concentrate their power : 
to present them to the public eye, and to bring them to act upon the 
public feeling : and especially, by a steady advancement, as fast as 
the means will allow, towards the object proposed, to evince the in- 
valuable benefits of the undertaking, and thus afford the best possible 
reward for its support, and the highest encouragement for more ex- 
tensive and more ardent eflort. 

It is the design of the Society, not, in the manner of a day school, 
to take charge of the youth entrusted to them, for a few hours daily, 
and then dismiss them to dissipate, among idle and vicious compan- 
ions, the slight impressions made upon them, and thus to blast, every 



8 

night and morning, the germs of sober and industrious habits ; but to 
train them up entirely, as far as practicable, from early childhood ; to 
make constant and untiring inroads on their wrong habits and pro- 
pensities ; to subject them to a steady, mild and salutary discipline ; 
to exercise towards them a kind and parental care, guarding against 
the approach of every insidious and hurtful influence ; to give them 
am intimate practical acquaintance with agriculture, or some one of 
the mechanic arts, most likely to be useful in Africa ; to instruct 
tkim thoroughly in all the branches of a common school education ; 
to endow them with industrious, active and manly habits ; and to in- 
spire them with virtuous, generous and honorable sentiments : in fine, 
to form their whole character, and render it, as far as possible, such 
as will qualify them to become pioneers in the renovation of Africa. 
Manual labor will of course ultimately aid in the support, and dimin- 
ish the expense, of the establishment. But in its commencement, on 
account of the necessary preparation of implements and materials,. 
it is essential to its success that a good deal should be expended. Aa 
enlightened, humane and liberal community must decide, whether it 
shall surmount the obstacles which stand in its way, and obtain an 
existence real and greatly efficient, among things that are, as well as 
m the designs and hopes of its projectors. 

livery precaution will be taken to avoid the hindrance or discour- 
agement of day schools for Africans in the States where all are free. 
It is perceived that they also are tending to the same great object, 
t&ough in a less ready, and less effectual manner. What if the co- 
lored people in these states are now prejudiced against emigration to 
Afoieal Enlightening and enlarging their minds, and correcting 
amd quickening their moral faculties, will remove those prejudices; 
•will help them to discern, and lead them to promote their own best 
ioterests, and to bear across the Atlantic the means of freedom, 
prosperity and happiness, to " their kindred according to the flesh." 

Special reference will also be had to the condition and wishes of 
the slave States. In most of them it is a prevailing sentiment, that 
It is not safe to furnish slaves with the means of instruction. Much 
as we lament the reasons for this sentiment, and the apparent neces- 
sity of keeping a single fellow creature in ignorance, we willingly 
leave to others the consideration and the remedy of this evil, in view 
of the overwhelming magnitude of the remaining objects before us. 
But it is well known that very many masters are desirous to liberate 
their slaves in such a way as to improve their condition: and we are 
confident that such masters will rejoice to find the means by which 
those slaves may be educated in a situation by themselves, without the 
danger of exerting an unfavorable influence around them: and in- 
stead of creating disquiet in this country, may convey peace and joy 
to Africa. In proof of tills opinion, we arc gratified to state, that a 



gentleman, who is a slave bolder, and : r of thi s Society, has 

already offered ihe gratuitous use ol" a farm, for the accommodation of 
such an establishment. 

A desire to give "liberty to tlie captive," has prevailed, and does 
still prevail, to a very great extent, throughout the country. It owes 
its existence both to a sense of justice and to feelings of humanity. It 
has been more efficient too, strange as it may appear, in the southern 
than the northern States; for the reproached South has given liberty to 
more, in proportion to her white population, by the mere influence of 
this desire, than the North has done in consequence of this desire, the 
most obvious self-interest, and the force of law put together. Proof 
of this point requires only a glance at the census, where is shown tho 
comparative number of free colored people, all of whom arc either 
irecdmen, or the descendants of freedmen. In the South, however, its 
progress has been arrested before the consummation of that great 
event to which it was most obviously and rapidly tending. There 
was no need of an inquiry, which the North has never instituted, 
whether freedom in itself alone, without some redeeming coucomitant, 
was a practical blessing to those for whom it was as such expressly 
designed. The fact was most glaring, without an inquiry, that the 
same shackles which bound them, fastened them also to the resources 
of the soil, and the interests of the community; and when theso 
■were broken, and the incentives of authority removed, the weight of 
ignorance, the want of bettor incentives, and the fatal and untried 
power of grateful but ruinous idleness, sunk them to a state, which, 
however elevated in theory, was in fact more degraded and more mi- 
serable than that of bondage. In addition to all this, pauperism, with 
the numerous evils of corrupt and corrupting indolence, threatened to 
impose its sluggish weight upon a groaning community. The com- 
mon sense of mankind, and the genius of Christianity, equally de- 
manded, that practical results should be made the tests of justice and 
humanity. It appeared that nothing could in reality be less like equi- 
table restoration, than throwing away. Hence, the progress of eman- 
cipation was, for the time, most righteously arrested. Still, without 
doubt, the same desire, once so manifest, yet exists, and even with 
augmented power: and there is every reason to believe, that wheu 
present impediments shall be removed, and the manumission of tho 
Blave will improve his condition, it will arise to far more than its for- 
mer activity. The call then is most emphatic to releasethis heaven- 
born desire from its prison house, and let it again proceed with its 
work of beneficence — a work which by every other instrument may 
be attempted in vain. It is certain that to improve the condition of 
liberated slaves, it is necessary to elevate their moral and intellectual 
character. The last hope, then, of the colored race, is embraced in 

the design of this Society. 
o 



10 

Improvement, in the progress from barbarism, is so gradual from 
year to year and from age to age, that its advance at any one mo- 
ment, like the motion of the sun, is imperceptible. Yet by compa- 
rison in its different stages, we discern the immense disparity between 
the glimmering dawn and the bright and glorious meridian. The 
yeomanry of this country stand up in all the consciousness of superi- 
ority, and feel as if the high distinction with which they are favored, 
were an attribute of their nature, or the direct gift of the Deity: for- 
getful that their own ancestors, but a few ages ago, were in a st'ite of 
barbarism that would have hardly honored an African origin; and 
that the race has emerged from such a condition only by the slow 
process of moral and intellectual improvement. Hence the immense 
power of education is underrated entirely: and the colored race, just 
brought from a savage country, and placed in sight of advantages 
which they cannot enjoy, are regarded, to a great extent, as incapa- 
ble of a similar advancement. This prejudice, founded in the first 
instance on grounds almost wholly gratuitous, and contrary to general 
principles, must soon give way entirely to facts, which are already ap- 
parent, and which are now in a rapid course of further develope- 
ment. 

The immense advantages of moral and intellectual cultivation, be- 
come most glaringly obvious by a recurrence to history and biography. 
In almost every instance where communities or individuals have stood 
pre-eminent, they owed their pre-eminence chiefly to moral or intel- 
lectual improvement. The Chaldeans, the Egyptians, the Greeks, 
the Romans, were no less remarkable for learning than for power. 
This may be said with equal truth of nearly all the great men of an- 
tiquity, and much more of those who in modern times have caused 
the world to feel their influence. Intellectual and moral cultivation 
made Ashmun what he was; and to cause the influence of such men 
as Ashmun to be felt throughout the African continent, is the aim and 
the hope of this Society. 

There are several reasons, which appear not only weighty, but al- 
together decisive, why such a Society should be located in the capi- 
tal of the country. In addition to the general convenience of its cen- 
tral position, it is in a district belonging in common to all the States, 
where none can complain of interference, or attach to it the idea of 
merely local importance : it affords to all parts of the country, through 
Members of Congress, the means of an intimate acquaintance with 
its character, measures and success ; by the same means, many im- 
portant helps may be brought to promote its progress : and what is 
perhaps more than all, it c;m avail itself directly of the best channel 
of information between this country and Africa. If it were farther 
north, it would not be so easily accessible by slaves that are to be 
liberated and sent to Africa; and the constitutions of those under iti 



11 

care, would not bo to "well prepared for the attacks of African dis- 
ease and the dangers of au African climate. If it were farther 
south, it might fail to excite a northern interest; and by exerting an 
unfavorable influence on slaves, and waking the apprehensions of 
their masters, it might even blast its prospects' in the southern section 
of the country. 

We appeal, then, with respectful confidence, to the humane and 
merciful throughout our country. We most earnestly solicit their 
encouragement, co-operation and support. We entreat the Editors 
of public Journals to bestow on the subject their calm and candid at- 
tention ; to yield it their personal favor and influence ; and to send 
forth upon the winds of heaven all useful information respecting it. 
We entreat Ministers of the Gospel to bring their consecrated talents 
to bear in the promotion of its interests, and in the attainment of an 
object, which cannot but be dear to them and their Master. We en- 
treat all classes of the community to contribute their aid and exert 
their influence in such ways as to them may appear best and most 
effectual. Considerations the most powerful urge the appeal. By 
all the horrors of the slave trade ; by the wrongs and sufferings of 
Africa, inflicted by the hands of Americans ; by her cruel and inces- 
sant wars which they have excited, and which have desolated her 
towns and cities; by the blood of murdered millions; by the relics 
of hundreds of thousands thrown from American ships, and strewed 
upon the bed of the Atlantic — we call upon our country, in its indi- 
vidual and collective capacity, to make a voluntary, though wholly 
inadequate retribution to those whom they have injured, and to per- 
form an act of justice, of duty, and of mercy, to the people of Africa. 



Resolutions of the Board. 

Resolved, That the funds of this Society shall be chiefly appro- 
priated to the education of slaves, placed at their disposal by their 
masters, on the condition, after their education and liberation, of 
their emigrating to Africa. 

Resolved, That pledges, with suitable indemnities, shall be given, 
as far as practicable, by the pupils, their masters, parents or guard- 
ians, that they will go to Africa when their education shall be com- 
pleted. 



Extract of a Letter to a Gentleman in Virginia. 

The Managers of the African Education Society tender to yon 
their grateful acknowledgments for the substantial proof of your fa- 
vor, which has been received, and for the implicit confidence which 



12 

you havo kindly expressed in the justness of their views and the iu- 
tegrity of their motives. They regard this confidence as one of the 
highest proofs of friendship. Still they are desirous that even the 
enemies of the cause, and "much more those friends who are qualifi- 
ed to act as its wisest advocates and ablest defenders, should see 
clearly and fully the ground upon which it rests; the nature and ex- 
tent of the objections which bear against it, and of the inducements 
which urge to its advancement. To such friends, too, they look for 
at least a portion of that light which the difficulty of the subject re- 
quires, as well as for the influence necessary to give it favor in the 
view: of the community. 

The subjects mentioned in your letter had been already discussed, 
and settled, as it w r as supposed, id a satisfactory manner. Your no- 
' tice of them again called them up; but the Board cannot yet discover 
sufficient reasons for ehangiug their views. They are all ardent 
friends of the Colonization Society; but further than this the two So- 
cieties are not connected at all! It seems difficult, then, to perceive, 
how the fate of one can be mainly dependent on the fate of the 
other. It may seem as if a new object proposed with regard to Af- 
rica, and a consequent division of interest, might diminish the already 
meager support of the Colonization Society: but facts of con- 
stant occurrence in this country, go to prove the reverse. Nor can 
this be deemed a subject of wonder, when it is considered that all 
the great objects of charity receive, as yet, but about the average 
amount of five cents a year from each inhabitant of the country. In 
view, then, of the acknowledged liberality of the American people, 
there can be no sufficient objection to presenting a greater number of 
deserving objects before them* 

It is true, that prejudices against the new Society, may, and pro- 
bably will, to some extent, be directed against the Colonization So- 
ciety. But for this there can be no sufficient reason, for the Socie- 
ties are wholly distinct. Besides, the Colonization Society has, in 
its infancy, outlived far greater opposition than it will ever hereafter 
be likely to meet with. It is doubtless highly desirable that the 
Education Society should encounter its own difficulties, and rest on 
its own merits: and so far as it can possibly be kept from implication 
with others, it will be done. There is even then hardly a doubt that 
it will surmount, by prudent management, the probable opposition 
which it is destined to meet with. 

Id one respect, at least, if jt should be successful, it must be emi- 
nently serviceable to the Colonization Society. It is already obvi- 
ous, that the prosperity of this society must depend, to a very groat 
extent, on the character and progress of the colony- It is equally 
obvious that the success <,i , !\ u tin. indu- 

ce and effort: <>'< - d men U i lh busineis of the 



13 

Education Society to furnish ihcrn: so that in return for any indirect 
and partial injury which it may occasion to tho Colonization Socie- 
ty, tho entire result of its efforts, and weight of its influence, will ope- 
rate directly to advance the interests of that society. 

There are indeed many powerful reasons why the means of edu- 
cating colonists should be expended within tho limits of the colony. 
But it is at least questionable, whether colonial institutions could ob- 
tain, to so great an extent, the patronage of the American public. It 
is still more questionable whether masters would scud their young 
slaves there to be educated. But the consideration which seems 
above all others decisive, is, that colored instructors suitably qualifi- 
ed, cannot yet be found in sufficient numbers for the immediate wants 
of tho colony itself: and to send out- white instructors, would doubt- 
less incur a greater sacrifice of life than would be warranted, at pre- 
sent, by the greater comparative advantages. It must be remember- 
ed that no white person has yet continued alive in the colony more 
than six or eight years. The object, if it. could not be attained in 
any other way, would doubtless justify a far greater sacrifice. But it 
is believed ihat it can be essentially attained by institutions in this 
country. The society, however, will render their views on this sub- 
ject as full and accurate as possible, and whenever there arc no suffi- 
cient objections, their means will at once bo transferred to Africa. It 
is believed, however, that this cannot be the case, till there shall be a 
sufficient number of competent colored instructed. 

The subject of African education, though beyond all dispute im- 
mensely important, must for some time to come be to a great extent 
experimental. The free expression of your views respecting it, will at 
all times be highly acceptable, and may be of very great utility. 
The great object of the society, second only to the best interests of 
Africa, will be to satisfy, by every reasonable method, all the friends 
ef the cause, and all its enemies. I remain, 

With great esteem and respect, 
Your humble servant, 

ISAAC Ollll, SectYy. Af. E. S. 



Demand for Educated Africans. 

In addition to tho well known extent and urgency of this demand, 
it ought to be mentioned, that the London Missionary Society sent to 
this country, some time ago, to procure educated Africans to go to 
Sierra Leone.^ Of course their application proved ineffectual. 



14 



Extracts from a Communication from B. L. Lear, Esq. Executor of 
the Will of General Kosciusko, to Rev. Amzi Armstrong, of New 
Jersey, dated Washington, 28th January, 1826. 

[Note. — In 1798 Gen. Kosciusko made a bequest for the liberation and 
education of Africans. In 1821 it amounted to $12,000; and at the present, 
1830, does not diifer much from $ 25,000. A suit is now pending in the United 
States Supreme Court, in which the bequest is claimed by Kosciusko's legal 
heirs, and others. The result, it is said, is very doubtful. So far, this noble 
bequest, instead of serving as an example to excite others to do likewise, 
appears rather to have hindered, or at lea .«'. delayed, those efforts for the 
African people, which circumstances have so urgently demanded. It is ex- 
ceedingly desirable that the reputation of Kosciusko should not bear the impu- 
tation of having injured the cause to which he manifested so sincere and de- 
voted an attachment.] 

One of the principal requisites of the will is, that the slaves shall 
be purchased and set free : but I consider that this would be substan- 
tially complied with, if 1 can procure them from their masters upon 
condition of freeiDg and educating them: and as 1 have from the 
first determined that I would take none that were not young enough 
to be exempt from every idea of their degradation, and all contami- 
nation from their kindred and associations, 1 suppose that their value 
as slaves would not be so great as to operate strongly with those 
masters disposed to favor the experiment'; and that, with many of 
them their freedom, support, and education would be a sufficiently 
valuable consideration. 

The intention of the testator undoubtedly was, to make the objects 
of his bounty not only free and happy, but useful to society. In 
considering the kind of education best adapted to this purpose, one 
of my favorite ideas has been, to instruct the children in agriculture 
and the mechanic arts, in connexion with their literary education, that 
the mind and body may be, one or the other, always active in useful 
occupation; variety thus answering the purpose of amusement: and 
to apply each mainly to such an education as shall be found on ex- 
periment to be best adapted to his capacity. 

I should think it best to commence the school on a very limited 
and economical plan. Almost every enterprise in this country, which 
fails of success, owes its failure to embarking too incautiously in ex- 
penses, before the experiment is properly tested. I should think a 
few acres, with perhaps a single building, near some flourishing vil- 
lage, sufficient for the experiment. The village would supply me- 
chanics, who might no doubt be induced, in such a cause, to give in- 
struction in their arts for a very moderate compensation. This plan 
can easily be enlarged if we find our funds sufficient ; and in any event, 
it is always more gratifying to be able to extend, than to be obliged to 
contract, our enterprises. 

Those children whem I would emancipate and educate with this 



15 

fund, I would purchr.se on the condition, that after receiving their ed- 
ucation, they should be sent to the Colony in Africa, where they can, 
certainly be more useful than any where else, and where, perhaps it 
is not too great a stretch of enthusiasm to suppose, they may be in- 
struments of establishing the fame of their benefactor, upon a founda- 
tion more firm and extensive than that on which he has already 
placed it by his valor, his patriotism, and his devotion to liberty. 
Whether the Colonization Soctety is ultimately to realize its hopes or 
not, the Colony at least, will afford a field for eminent usefulness to 
these youths, who could scarcely be useful at all elsewhere; and its 
best welfare will be promoted while it exists, whether its existence 
may be of long or short duration. 



Local Agents of the Society. 

The following gentlemen are authorized, and respectfully request- 
ed, to act as Agents of the Society, in such ways, and to such an ex- 
tent, as they may deem proper and convenient. 

Johu Tappan, Esq. Boston. 

Rev. Nathan Lord, D. D. Hanover, N. H. 

Rev. John Todd, Groton, Mass. 

Rev. Silas Aiken, Amherst, N. H. 

William Atkinson, Esq. Petersburg, Vft. 

Rev. Mr. Cheever, Waterford, N. Y. 

Thomas Hastings, Esq. Utica, N. Y. 

Rev. William Chester, Hudson, N. Y. 

Rev. Mr. Kirk, Albany, N. Y. 

Caleb Day, Esq. Catskill, X. Y. 

Rev. Timothy Alden, D. D. Meadville, Pa. 

Phineas Randall, Esq. Bowman's Creek, N. Y. 

Rev. Mr. Potts, Natchez. 

Rev. Dr. Tyler, Portland, Maine. 

Rev. Dr. W^ayland, Providence, R. I. 

Rev. Dr. Cox, New York City. 

Rev. Mr. Patterson, Philadelphia. 

Josiah Bissel, Esq. Rochester, N. Y. 

Shepard R. Kollock, Esq. Norfolk, Va. 

William Crane, Esq. Richmond, Va. 

Rev. Dr. Ducachet, Norfolk, Va. 

Rev. Mr. Baker, Savannah, Geo. 

Rev. Mr. Brekenridge, Baltimore, Md. 

R. T. Rutter, Esq. Baltimore, Md. 

Rev. Mr. Fullerton, Hagerstown, Md. 

B. F. Anderson, Esq. Hagerstown, 31d. 

Rev. T. H. Gallaudet, Hartford, Conn. 



.* 



10 

Thomas C. Perkins, Esq. Hartford, Conn. 
Rev. Leonard Bacon, New Haven, Conn. 
Rev. Mr. Wright, Montpelicr, Vermont. 
John Aiken, Esq. Manchester, Vermont. 
Rev. Mr. Pine, Middletown, Conn. 
Rev. William Williams, Salem, Mass. 
Robert Orr, Esq. Topsham, Maine. 
Professor Worcester, Amherst, Mass. 
Eliott Cresson, Esq. Philadelphia. 
Caleb W r hitc, Woodville, N. C. 
Rev. T. P. Hunt, Raleigh, N. C. 
Rev. R. W. James, BVadleysville. S. C. 
Win. Maxwell, Esq. Norfolk, Va. 



Correspondence. 

All contributions should be directed to Richard Smith, Esq. Trea- 
surer of the African Education Society, Washington ; to an Agent 
of the Society; or to the Treasurer of an Auxiliary Society. All 
other communications, to Isaac Orr, Secretary of the African Edu- 
cation Society, Washington. 



Form of a Constitution for Auxiliary Societies. 

1st. This Society shall be called , and shall 

be auxiliary to the African Education Society of the United States. 

2d. It shall be the exclusive object of this Society, to aid the Gen- 
eral Society at Washington, in the education of colored persons for 
influence and usefulness in Africa. 

3d. An annual subscription of shall constitute an 

individual a member of this Society; and the payment, at any one 
time, of a member for life. 

4th- The Officers of this Society shall be a President, Vic« 

Presidents, Managers, Secretary and Treasurer, to be elected 

annually by the Society. 

5th. The President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer, 
shall be ex-ojjicio members of the Board of Managers. 

6th. The Board of Managers shall meet to transact the business of 
the Society 

7th. The Treasurer shall keep the accounts of the Society, as well 
as take charge of its funds, and hold them subject to an order of the 
Board of Managers. 

8th. The Secretary of the Society shall conduct the correspond- 
ence, under the direction of the Board of Managers, both with tho 
parent Institution and other Societies. 

9th. The annual meeting of this Society shall be 

10th. This Constitution may be altered at. any annual mooting of 
the Society, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. 



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